Balclutha Road Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Balclutha Road Bridge |
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Balclutha Road Bridge, viewed from downstream
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| Carries | Motor vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists |
| Crosses | Clutha River |
| Locale | Balclutha, Otago, New Zealand |
| Maintained by | NZ Transport Agency |
| Characteristics | |
| Total length | 244.1 metres (801 ft) |
| History | |
| Construction begin | 1933 |
| Construction end | 1935 |
| Designated: | 13-Dec-1990 |
| Reference #: | 5180 |
The Balclutha Road Bridge is a famous bridge in New Zealand. It crosses the Clutha River in a town called Balclutha. This town is in South Otago, on the South Island. Many people just call it "The Clutha Bridge". But remember, there are many bridges over the Clutha River! It's New Zealand's second longest river.
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Building a Strong Bridge
The Balclutha Road Bridge was built between 1933 and 1935. It was designed by a person named W. L. Newnham. He made sure it was a special type of bridge called a bowstring bridge. This design helps it stand strong.
Ready for Nature
Newnham designed the bridge to be very strong. He wanted it to survive earthquakes and floods. These natural events are common in southern New Zealand. So, the bridge was built to be extra safe.
What the Bridge is Made Of
The bridge is made from strong, reinforced concrete. It has six curved sections, like giant bows. Each section is about 36.6 metres long. The whole bridge stretches for 244.1 metres.
How Wide is It?
The part of the bridge where cars drive is 6.7 metres wide. On each side, there's a footpath for people to walk. Each footpath is 1.4 metres wide. This makes the total width of the bridge 11.8 metres.
What Does It Carry?
The Balclutha Road Bridge is very important. It carries State Highway 1. This is the main road that connects the cities of Dunedin and Invercargill in the South Island. It's used by cars, pedestrians, and cyclists every day.
A Bridge with a Past
This bridge is not the first one to stand here. It's actually the third road bridge built in this spot.
The First Bridge
The very first bridge was built in 1868. But it didn't last long. Ten years later, in 1878, huge floods hit the area. Another bridge from further up the river broke free. It floated downstream and crashed into the Balclutha bridge, destroying it.
The Second Bridge
A second bridge was built in 1881. However, it wasn't suitable for cars and trucks. As more vehicles appeared, a stronger, more modern bridge was needed. So, the current bridge was built to replace it.
A Historic Landmark
On December 13, 1990, the Balclutha Road Bridge was recognized as a special historic place. The New Zealand Historic Places Trust gave it a Category I Historic Place rating. This means it's a very important part of New Zealand's history and heritage.
Other Bridges Nearby
Just a few hundred metres downstream from the Balclutha Road Bridge, you can see another bridge. This is the Balclutha Rail Bridge, which is used by trains.
